Shoe charm and method of use

ABSTRACT

A shoe charm system includes a shoe having laces to tighten the shoe around a foot; a charm, having a body; a decorative item attached to a top surface of the body; and a clip attached to a bottom surface of the body; the clip is to secure the charm to the laces of the shoe.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shoes, and more specifically, to a shoe charm for easily attaching to shoe laces.

2. Description of Related Art

Shoes are well known in the art and are effective means to provide fashion and functionality for the wearer. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional shoe 101 having laces 103 for securing the shoe to the user's foot.

One of the problems commonly associated with shoe 101 is limited customization. For example, the user cannot change colors or features associated with the shoe to reflect their mood of personality.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of shoes, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a common shoe;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a customizable shoe system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a charm of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the charm of FIG. 2 attached to a shoe lace of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of a charm in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of a charm in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of a charm in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method of use associated with FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional shoe systems. Specifically, the present invention provides a means to customize a shoe. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a customizable shoe system 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional shoe systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes a shoe 203 having laces 205 and one or more charms 207 removably secured to the laces. It should be appreciated that charm 207 is configured to attach to laces 205 without removing the laces from the shoe or unlacing the laces. This feature allows for the user to quickly and easily attach one or more charms.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 side views of charm 207 alone and attached to shoe laces 205 are shown. Charm 207 includes a decorative item 301 secured to a body 303. In the preferred embodiment, an attachment device 305 such as a sleeve, is used to secure item 301 to body 303. It is contemplated that attachment device 305 could allow for the decorative item 301 to be removed and replaced. Charm 207 further includes a clip 307 configured to secure over shoelaces 205 to secure the charm 207 in place.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B side views depicts one alternative embodiment of a charm 501 in an open and closed position respectively in accordance with the present invention. Charm 501 includes a decorative item 503 secured to a top surface of a body 505. It should be appreciated that decorative item 503 and body 505 can be combined into one structural component or can be separate. It should be appreciated that decorative item 503 can be a heart, a sport icon, a jewel, an animal, or a variety of other items that could be used to decorate and customize a shoe. Charm 501 further includes a clip 507 attached to and extending from a bottom surface of body 505. In this embodiment, clip 507 is secured to body 505 via a spring 509, however it should be appreciated that clip 507 can attach directly to body 505 without being sprig loaded. In this embodiment, clip 507 is configured to slidingly engage with the laces, thereby being held in place via pressure.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, side views depict an alternative embodiment of a charm 601 in accordance with the present invention. Charm 601 is similar in form and function to charms 207 and 501, having a body 603 and a decorative item 605 secured to a top surface of the body 603. Charm 601 further includes a clip 607 connected to body 603 by a hinge 609. Clip 607 is configured to open and close via hinge 609 and secure in place via a hook 611. Clip 607 can further include a plurality of teeth 613 configured to tighten against the laces, thereby holding charm 601 in place.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, side views depict an alternative embodiment of a charm 701 in accordance with the present invention. Charm 701 is similar in form and function to charms 207, 501, and 601. Charm 701 includes a decorative item 703 removably secured to a body 705 via an attachment device, such as a protrusion 707 and cavity 709. It should be appreciated that this feature allows for the decorative item to be interchanged. Charm 701 further includes a clip 711 secured to body 705 via a spring 713, wherein the spring 713 is configured to hold clip 711 in a closed position to secure charm 701 to a shoe lace.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the simple configuration of a clip attached to a body, thereby being able to easily secure to shoe laces.

In FIG. 8, a flowchart 801 depicts a method associated with the various charms described above. The user selects one or more charms having decorative items desirable for the user and opens the clip, as shown with box 803. The user then proceeds to securing the charm to the laces via the clip, as shown with box 805. The user can add and remove charms as desired for customization, as shown with boxes 807, 809.

It should be appreciated that the features of the various charms described above can be interchanges between the various embodiments as desired for aesthetical, function, or manufacturing considerations.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe charm system, comprising: a shoe having laces configured to tighten the shoe around a foot; a charm, having: a body; a decorative item attached to a top surface of the body; and a clip attached to a bottom surface of the body; wherein the clip is configured to secure the charm to the laces of the shoe.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the clip has a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the laces.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the clip is spring loaded.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the clip is immovable and configured to slidingly engage with the laces.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the decorative item is removable from the body.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises: an elongated arm connected to the bottom surface of the body by a spring hinge; and a hook configured to receive and hold the elongated arm in a closed position securing the clip to the laces.
 7. A shoe charm, comprising: a body; a decorative item attached to a top surface of the body; and a clip attached to a bottom surface of the body; wherein the clip is configured to secure the charm to laces of a shoe.
 8. The charm of claim 7, wherein the clip has a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the laces.
 9. The charm of claim 7, wherein the clip is spring loaded.
 10. The charm of claim 7, wherein the clip is immovable and configured to slidingly engage with the laces.
 11. The charm of claim 7, wherein the decorative item is removable from the body.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the clip further comprises: an elongated arm connected to the bottom surface of the body by a spring hinge; and a hook configured to receive and hold the elongated arm in a closed position securing the clip to the laces. 